"We have to be open to other options instead of a library or a community center," said Jessica Klami of Hall Place.

The 19th-century, Gothic-style church dominates the neighborhood and has long been a fixture of the city skyline heading north from downtown.

"It's a crown jewel," Brennon Cleary of the brewing company told the crowd of about 60 in the mansion.

While the Capital Region's demographics brought Cleary, Brent Decker and Drew Grimes and their Ravens Head Brewing Co. to Albany, they said the church captured their imagination. They had originally looked in the Catskills before turning north to Albany.

"This building fulfills the dreams and ambitions we've had for our venture and requires minor changes to the interior to accommodate the production facility," the three wrote in a handout distributed to the audience.

Their plans call for hiring 20 to 45 employees; opening the brew pub; and producing up to 60,000 barrels of craft beers annually at the site.

The Roman Catholic parish closed in 1993. Historic Albany bought the church from the city in 2003 for $1. Since then, the preservation organization has raised about $1 million to stabilize and preserve the historic church.

"We took the building over to save it for your neighborhood. We need your help now," Susan Holland, executive director of Historic Albany, said.

Many residents and property owners were not thrilled with the proposed brewery and brew pub.

Parking, traffic, noise and drunken patrons were cited as threats to the neighborhood's renaissance.

"Parking is a very tough part of it. It's about quality of life," said Nadine Shadlock, who was married at St. Joseph's and has restored two buildings in the neighborhood.

"We're at the tipping point," Shadlock said about the neighborhood continuing to move forward.

Shadlock portrayed the church as an albatross that Historic Albany is attempting to discard.

"It is not an albatross around our neck. It is a very difficult structure. We cannot help any other buildings in the city of Albany because of it," Holland said.

Third Ward Councilman Ronald Bailey said he opposed the brewery opening in the neighborhood.

"This is defeating what we're trying to put together here," Bailey said.

The councilman said he would attend every planning and zoning board meeting to fight the brewery moving into the church building.

"This is a very volatile issue," said Jennifer Novak of First Street, who tends the neighborhood dog park.

"We definitely have to seek a solution for St. Joseph's," Novak said. "I don't see millionaires hanging out in the neighborhood."

Holland said she will meet with the Historic Albany Foundation board of directors to review the meeting.

Decker said he was not surprised by some of the responses from residents, but that problems such as parking could be mitigated.